Page 74 of Gryphon’s Fire

Crouching to his level, I allowed the cold I felt to seep into my voice. “I’m not scarier than Jaakobah. What I am is stronger. Choose now.”

Standing, I didn’t wait for a response. I simply turned and unhurriedly made my way down the hall, satisfied when no footsteps followed.

I emerged into the bright, afternoon light. The air was warm against my skin, the sun a welcome friend. The grass was soft beneath my bare feet. I could hear the droning of the spiritual leader. Of course Jaakobah had asked Falon to do the dirty deed. Falon was as morally bankrupt as Jaakobah. Falon’s version was just different than Jaakobah’s.

All the anger, frustration, and rage festering within me took root and bloomed into a wash of crimson hatred. I’d never thought myself capable of such a strong, negative emotion and yet there it was. I wasn’t proud of my feelings, and I desperately wished I could wash my soul of the venom filling them. I wasn’t naïve enough to believe destroying Jaakobah would heal me. Jaakobah’s end would be a lance to the wound, but it would take much longer to heal it. Bonding with Lazarus and returning home to my friends, to Vi and Blu, would lay the foundation to true healing.

I sneered when I heard Falon’s accusations against Eldon and wanted to scream to the heavens when he equally praised Jaakobah, as if Jaakobah wasn’t the root of all the evil Falon professed had befallen my former flight.

Hands fisted, I continued. One step confidently placed in front of the other until I’d finally been noticed. I’d arrived sooner than expected. No doubt Falon had a laundry list of false accomplishments he’d planned on laying at Jaakobah’s feet. My early arrival, along with my unexpected lack of clothing made Falon falter. His stuttering was nearly as satisfactory as his silence.

Murmured whispers and shocked gasps filled the air. While I didn’t dare take my direct concentration away from Jaakobah, I allowed my gaze to drift just enough to find Lazarus. There. Air escaped my lungs, as if it had been caught, waiting on Lazarus’s presence. Seeing the naked appreciation in his eyes made me stand that much prouder. Lazarus was my chosen, not this overinflated ego barely contained within Jaakobah’s twisted skin.

Jaakobah’s smirk faltered before finding new fuel. His golden eyes lasciviously ran up and down my body before he suggestively licked his lips. “Now, this is a surprise, Keir. A pleasant one, but a surprise nonetheless. I had not realized you were so eager to get through the bonding ceremony and onto more…entertaining pursuits.” Jaakobah’s gaze caught on Lazarus’s scale and his eyes dangerously narrowed. “Although, your choice of adornment leaves a bit to be desired.”

Lazarus’s low growl softened the unease crawling under my skin. Now close enough, I planted my feet. There was but a single way to get under Jaakobah’s skin and that was ignoring him.

Looking past Jaakobah, I glared at Falon. “There will be no bonding today, nor any day where Jaakobah and I are concerned.”

Falon’s lips parted and his golden skin paled to a sickly yellow. “Um, I…” A fine layer of sweat beaded along Falon’s brow. “J-Jaakobah, what are⁠—”

“Aren’t you just full of surprises.” Jaakobah’s lips thinned and his jaw tightened. “You make a mockery of gryphon tradition.”

“It is not I who make the mockery.”

“No?” Jaakobah spread his arms wide. “You’ve taken up valuable time and resources simply to spurn my generous offer.” Taking a step toward me, the smirk returned. “There will be a bonding ceremony today, Keir. If not with you, then your sister will do nicely.” Gasps filled the air along with more than one shouted “no,” from the crowd along with comments regarding Saraphina’s young age.

Jaakobah spread his arms again, bowing low, a mask of regret and sorrow. “Forgive me. I realize the discomfort such thoughts bring. I have done everything in my power to avoid such a choice, but Keir is being unreasonable and Eldon murdered his own mother to⁠—”

“Liar,” I spat, silencing the crowd.

Jaakobah’s grin held nothing but malice. “Hunapo bore witness and has confessed to his son’s crimes.”

I slashed my arm through the air. “My father suffers from the Wasting.” Many within the gathered crowd stood, their shouts mingling together until I couldn’t pick out a single thought. “Hunapo Montenegro’s word is worthless.”

Jaakobah was no longer smirking. “You would dare accuse your own father of hiding such a⁠—”

“I dare that and much more.” Taking another step forward, I raised my arm, pointing directly at Jaakobah as I declared, “I, Keir Montenegro, challenge you for leadership.”

Jaakobah’s mouth snapped closed and a weighted silence filled the air. A low glow filled Jaakobah’s eyes, turning them bronze. “An exile cannot issue a challenge.”

“I am exiled no longer. Your desire to bond with me negated my exile.”

Jaakobah’s mouth twisted. “My desire did not exonerate your exile. Only the official bonding would⁠—”

Grandmother’s voice sounded through the clearing. “Untrue,” she calmly said while standing, Lazarus close by her side. “We all heard Falon earlier. Keir has been welcomed back into the flight. Were those not his words?” Grandmother looked to Lazarus who nodded.

“It is what I heard.”

Falon spluttered. “Yes, well, that was assuming that the bonding would⁠—”

“But that is not what you said,” Grandmother argued, keeping her words and tone neutral. “And regardless, the very fact that Jaakobah requested so many nearby flights to the proceedings indicate his intention. Furthermore, by Jaakobah’s own earlier edict, a gryphon from the Montenegro flight cannot legally bond with another gryphon who has been exiled or expelled from their flight. I realize this is a recent change, but I believe I have the wording correct, do I not, Lulabelle?”

Lulabelle stepped closer. “That is the wording Jaakobah used in the missive we received earlier this year.”

Xavier quickly jumped in to defend his idol. “I’m certain Jaakobah did not mean that⁠—”

“On the contrary,” Lulabelle held up a halting hand. “The wording was very succinct and exacting, leaving no room for interpretation. So, either Jaakobah has violated his own law or Keir’s exile has been lifted and he is now considered a member of the Montenegro flight.”